Ryan Tatusko and Jack Spradlin shared a six-hitter as the Harrisburg Senators dumped Trenton 3-1 Thursday night in the opener of a crucial four-game series, Harrisburg's last home series of the regular season. A paid attendance of 4,429 at Metro Bank Park watched as the Senators (70-60) moved a season-high 10 games over .500 and maintained their 1½-game lead over Bowie, which also won, in the Eastern League's Western Division playoff race. The Thunder (77-54) didn't get a runner past first base after the second inning.

TURNING POINT

Harrisburg scored all three runs with two outs. Jesus Valdez (2-for-4) doubled and scored on a single by Chris Marrero (3-for-4) in the first. Marrero singled and scored on a single by Michael Burgess in the fourth to give Harrisburg a 2-1 lead. Then Valdez singled and later scored on a Edgaro Baez single in the sixth.

JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-NewsChris Marrero of the Harrisburg Senators beats a throw home to Austin Romine of the Trenton Thunder Thursday night at Metro Bank Park. Marrero went 3-for-4, scored a run and drove in another.

NOTES & NUMBERS

Tatusko (2-1) allowed three of his five hits and one of his two walks over the first two frames. He struck out seven in six innings. ... Spradlin struck out four over the final three innings to pocket his first save. He yielded a single in the seventh, was helped by two fantastic catches by CF Baez and LF Valdez in the eighth, then struck out the side in the ninth. ... Spradlin became the 11th Senators pitcher this season to record a save. ... Marrero and Baez (1-for-1, two walks) reached base three times. ... Cory Arbiso (5-3) surrendered all three runs on nine hits and three walks in six innings. The Senators improved to 2-6 against Trenton this year with both wins against Arbiso.

IN THEIR WORDS

“If someone makes a play behind me like that, when they're saving us runs and busting their butt for me, I'll always be the first one to say thank you.” -- Spradlin on congratulating Baez and Valdez after their eighth-inning catches.

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